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| Will Guv appoint ombudsmen under MGNREGA? | | |
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 14: As there are allegations of corruption and mismanagement of MGNREGA funds, whistleblowers and RTI activists across the state have urged Governor N N Vohra to appoint district and state level ombudsmen to oversee the functioning and implementation of this centrally sponsored scheme.
While Early Times highlighted this issue from time to time, the government remained undecisive to appoint ombudsmen in each district of the state.
The government in December 2013 had planned to appoint ombudsmen in the state for hearing complaints regarding implementation of MGNREGA, but despite the lapse of more than two years, the appointments are yet to be made. It was necessary to appoint ombudsmen to check corruption in rural development department (RDD) during the implementation of MGNREGA, official sources said.
On December 26, 2013, Early Times had carried an exclusive story on the absence of MGNREGA Lok Pal (Ombudsman), affecting the implementation of this centrally sponsored scheme. After the news was carried, RDD issued an advertisement notice on December 30, 2013 regarding appointment of ombudsmen and subsequently applications were sought from the eligible candidates. It is now almost 16 months and nobody knows what has happened to the appointment of ombudsmen. It seems as if the government has dropped the idea of appointing them.
"The NC-led government in 2013 planned to appoint one ombudsman for three to four districts while as Ministry of Rural Development Government of India's guidelines had made it clear through its notification that one Ombudsman (Lok Pal) has to appointed in each district. While the government is yet to appoint the ombudsmen, it is seriously affecting the proper implementation of MGNREGA which is allegedly marred by corruption. We appeal the governor to look into this serious issue so that ombudsmenare appointed as soon as possible, said Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Convener and Founder of J&K RTI Movement.
"As of now, if people have to complain against irregularities in MGNREGA works , they file the same before BDO or ADC , but these officials in many cases are themselves involved in the game. So it is important that Ombudsman be appointed at district and state level," said the convener of J&K Panchayat Conference.
Order to appoint Ombudsmen:
As per the notification passed by the Ministry of Rural Development under Order No J-111011/21/2008 - MGNREGA on September 7, 2009, all the state governments were supposed to set up the office of ombudsmen in all the districts within three months of the issuance of the order. Till date, J&K is yet to abide by the order. The state government, in particular RDD, is already under fire from various quarters for their failure in not curbing the corruption and the non-appointment of ombudsmen in J&K had raised a big question mark on the credibility of the government awarded last year in New Delhi for its efforts towards reducing poverty.
The ombudsman shall have the powers to receive complaints related to MGNREGA, consider such complaints and facilitate their disposal. In certain cases, the ombudsman can issue direction for conducting spot investigation and to lodge FIRs against the erring parties. He can initiate proceedings suo motu in the event of any circumstance arising within his jurisdiction that may cause any grievance and engage experts for facilitating the disposal of the complaint, direct redressal, disciplinary and punitive actions. The ombudsman will report his findings to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary, State Nodal Department for appropriate legal action against erring persons.
"As the complaints regarding the misuse of MGNREGA funds are piling up in our state, there is an urgent need to appoint ombudsmen in all the districts of J&K. Right now, if people have any complaint regarding MGNREGA scams, they file the complaint with Deputy Commissioner or Director Rural Development but people allege that no justice is delivered from these offices and setting up the ombudsmen offices is need of the hour," said Balvinder Singh. Convener of Sangharsh RTI Movement |
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